Feedback on Retin-A Side Effects and Usage, page 59

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If you’ve used Retin-A, please help others by adding your feedback. What would you tell your best friend about this product? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history.

Subj: Crusty soresDate: 10/27/2009 I was using retin a for pimples about a year ago while in wresteling. I started getting little red bumps that soon turned into crusty sores. The first time I went to the dermatologis I tested positive for herpes but the 2nd time I tested negative and they told me it was staph infection. I will admit that I have been picking at these sores but even when I dont it still gets worse. I took the medicine for staph and it still wont go away. My question is does it sound like herpes or staph and would retin a help?

Flood

AskDocWeb: You should know that picking at the sores is a bad idea because that can spread the infection to other areas on your body. The crust or scab that forms over the sore is part of the healing process. It protects the wound until it is healed. If you pick off the scab, you open the wound to additional infection and slow the healing process. Retin-A has not been reported to help with either staph or herpes.

Subj: Face looks burnedDate: 10/29/2009 Hi, I had a 30% glycolic peel and left side of my face looked burned ND ITS DARK COLOR, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Helen

AskDocWeb: Sorry Helen, this website is for sharing information on side effects. For advice on what to do you need to ask a dermatologist.

Subj: Tiny little spotsDate: 11/2/2009 I have been using Retina cream for two months .025 percent, and my skin started looking good but now two months later I feel like my skin got worse, I also now have tiny little spots under my eyes now, (it is in the corner of my eyes) and they look like little almost sweat beads? They were never there before, what is this and can I expect it will go away???

Jklrin

AskDocWeb: Your tiny little spots would need to be evaluated by a dermatologist to find out what they are and if they need treatment or not.

Subj: Anti aging cream?Date: 11/3/2009 Hi, I am 46yr. old woman. I had quite good skin texture. I am Indian and I live at Mumbai. My question is, Can I use Retino-A 0.025% for anti aging cream and also use for fine lines? Plz. give me ans.

Jitu

AskDocWeb: We know that there are many women who are using Retin-A for an anti aging cream but that is considered an off-label use. The US Food and Drug Administration does not approve of off-label uses of Retin-A. You would have to consult with a dermatologist to find out whether or not it would work for your skin type.

Subj: Retin-a on my eyelidDate: 11/3/2009 I have been using Retin-A for 20 years now and love it. I am always complimented on my skin. My problem now is, it has gotten on my eyelid and my eyelid has been red and swollen for a couple of weeks now. I have been using polysporin on the lid but it still is red and sore. How long do you think it will take to heal and should I be using something else to promote the healing? This has got to be the most stupid thing I have ever done!

Cathy

AskDocWeb: Both Polysporin ointment and Polysporin eyedrops are very good at preventing bacterial infections. There is no way to tell how long it may take to heal, at the worst it might be several weeks.

Subj: Results are slowDate: 11/4/2009 I am using retin-A from a month and also am on doxycycline for acne. Results are slow I guess with this medication. Initially it started clearing up, but now I am breaking out again. Only relief is that I used to get real big cystic acne but now am getting Smaller ones. I might go and see the doctor again.

Nancy

Subj: My skin is lovelyDate: 11/6/2009 I have been using Retin-A for 3 years now and my skin is lovely. I use it around 4 times a week if my skin looks a little red I stop using it for a day or two. I will continue to use it for the rest of my life.

Louise

Subj: Horrible large holesDate: 11/7/2009 I’m 40 yrs old and I’ve been suffering from acne most of my life. Recently my acne became unbearable so I decided to give Tretinion a go. It has been 5 months now and my acne has improved 90%. But now I’ve been left with huge open pores on my forehead and t-zone. My once clear forehead is now unsightly with new wrinkles and horrible large holes. Will my skin get better or has Tretinion made it worse?

Lana

AskDocWeb: Sorry Lana, that question can’t be answered until your skin condition has been evaluated by a dermatologist.

Subj: Approved for retin-a?Date: 11/10/2009 I like retin-a. However, if I cant use anything with salicyic acid, benzyol peroxide, astringents and so on… what exactly is approved for retin-a? I still need something to control oil during the day, are there any skincare lines made just for people who use retin-a?

Steph

AskDocWeb: We have not seen any skincare lines made specially for those who use Retin-A. For oily skin dermatologists have recommended Almay Oil Control Lotion (SPF 15), Neutrogena Oil-Free Sunblock (SPF 30), and Clinique Oil-Free Sun Block (SPF 15).

Subj: Face wash?Date: 11/10/2009 I’ve been using Retin-A for about a year now and I have heard that using a face wash with Salicylic Acid is not recommended while using Retin-A. Is this true? Can Benzoyl Peroxide be used in conjunction with Retin-A, as well? My skin is red breaks out very easily and any time I’ve tried to use a gentler face wash it has broken out, even with the use of Retin-A (I use 0.1%).

Alexandra

AskDocWeb: The instructions for Retin-A say that particular caution should be exercised with products containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, and that it is advisable to allow the effects of such products to subside before the use of Retin-A. There are a couple of face wash products that people have reported good results with; Aveeno Ultra Calming face wash and oatmeal soap. Both are good for especially sensitive skin.

Subj: Works wellDate: 11/11/2009 I started using retin cream for a night cream. I seem to notice a nicer complection. It works well for me,

Mary

Subj: My face went crazyDate: 11/11/2009 Hello, I have always had perfect skin…6 months ago due to excessive heat and excessive STRESS my face went crazy. Immediately I went to the derm…but no matter what…they could not get my skin under control. I am 27 and I had bloodwork done and in my case it is not hormonal. I just started to use retin a micro .1% due to other retinoids that severly burned my skin the derm instructed me to use it every other night. My regimen consists of: re-10 wash sulfur soap in the morning, along with clindamycin and Cereva soapless cleanser the night where I use retin a. I also take ampicillin 500 mg in mornings and evenings (7 weeks) which seemed to slightly improve. I also have clusters of milia all over my cheeks (only areas to be affected) so these are my questions: do you think that since I have started retin a after the antibiotic that I will still go through the purging stage? Does retin a help for milia? And what can be the reasons that my skin has been so itchy? (before the retin a use) please help.

Carol

AskDocWeb: Retin-A has been found to be helpful for milia and is less traumatic than cauterization. There is no way to predict if you will go through a purging stage or not. As for why your skin has been so itchy, there are a lot of possible causes. Take a look at the Causes of Itchy Skin.

Subj: Retin-A with skin needling?Date: 11/17/2009 What about retin a with skin needling. Will it cause itching?

Ashley

AskDocWeb: It appears that the use of Retin-a, Retinol, or Renova are part of the pre-treatment process for skin needling. And yes, minor itching may occur but then itching is normally a part of most healing experiences.

Subj: HyperpigmentationDate: 11/18/2009 I have a problem, I’ve used retin-a micro on my face and it completely cleared my acne problems! I have acne break outs on my shoulder blades sometimes so I used a little on my shouders to peel off the scars that were left by the acne, but now it seems like it made the scaring WORSE! I have caramel colored skin and it peeled the scars and hiperpigmintaion but it left a red iritated patch in its place so I stopped using it. It went away but now it left a big dark patch in its place that flakes at times, now my shoulder blade has a hiperpigmented patch on it, it’s faded a little, but is it permanently scared? Or how long will it take for it to fade?

DeeDee

AskDocWeb: You would have to have a dermatologist evaluate the hyperpigmentation on your shoulder blades to find out how long it might take to fade.

Subj: Before it gets betterDate: 11/19/2009 I have been using retin-A micro .1% for 3 weeks now. and I am experiencing all the dyrness, reddness and irritation that goes along with it. but putting cetaphil lotion on my face before applying the RAM at night helps a lot. When I first started RAM, my skin was ok, just a small amount of whiteheads and blackheads, but now 3 weeks into it, I am getting quite a bit of innflamatory papules and pustules around my chin, my forehead, and on the sides of my face. I have heard it’s supposed to get worse before it gets better… but when should I start seeing results?

Kaitlyn

AskDocWeb: The patient insert says that you should begin to notice results after 2 to 3 weeks of treatment. More than 6 or 7 weeks of treatment may be needed before consistent beneficial effects appear.

Subj: Retin-A is Satan in a tube-form Date: 11/20/2009 I started using Retin-A about a week ago. Granted, I am aware that a week is not enough time to allow the medication to work. But I am an overdramatic mess (already) and I was not aware of the agonizing breakouts I would experience. Also, I kinda (really) Over dosed my face by lathering an EXTREAM amount of the medication on my face, thinking perhaps applying more of the ointment I would magically wake up the next day pimple free and happy. Well now my face is a giant volcanic mess. I have no idea how to reverse this. I dont want to make matters worse. But I hate that I look like I have lerosy now due to the mass accumulation of bumps all over my friggin face. Should I stop the medication? Is this an allergic reaction? Or am I just being crazy?

Kristina

AskDocWeb: When it comes to medication, more is not better. Using more than instructed is called an overdose and usually causes problems. Any time you suspect an allergic reaction or overdose you should seek immediate medical attention.

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